Thomas Hoskins has joined the Yamhill County NRCS staff as the new District Conservationist for Yamhill County. His most recent position was in the high mountain country of Northern Utah where he worked as a Range Conservationist for the Utah NRCS in the Coalville Field Office for 10 years. In addition to working in Utah, Thomas also worked for the Oklahoma and New Mexico NRCS as a Rangeland Management Specialist. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Rangeland Management and Wildlife Habitat Management at New Mexico State University. Thomas is a welcome addition to the group and we are glad he is here in Oregon!

You are invited to join the Polk Soil and Water Conservation District, Oregon Water Resources Department and the Natural Resource Conservation Service to discuss water quantity issues and irrigation efficiency opportunities. Water Master, Joel Plahn, will be present to answer questions.

Two short films produced by Yamhill Watershed Stewardship Fund and AH Creative.

Oregon white oak and the oak community are one of the most imperiled ecosystems in the entire United States. More than 95% of the oak habitat is gone, compared to 150 years ago, making it important to protect these trees now.

Once the dominant habitat tree in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, the Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) was managed for food by generations of Native Americans. Oak habitat also provides food and habitat for approximately 250 native wildlife species.

Today the amount of space is for these majestic trees is greatly diminished, threatened by population growth, land conversion, and encroachment of other vegetation due to lack of fire management. The majority of oaks are in private ownership. These landowners hold the fate of Oregon’s tree in their hands.

These two short films were produced with the hope that more private landowners will recognize the significance of these mighty oaks so that this tree will continue to represent our state, our history and our heritage.

These films were produced with funding and participation from: Yamhill Watershed Stewardship Fund, Yamhill County Cultural Coalition, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Friends of Trees, The Nature Conservancy, Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District, Yamhill Small Woodlands Association, Greater Yamhill Watershed Council, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Heritage Seedlings, and private donors. Filmed on locations in Yamhill and Marion Counties, Oregon in the fall of 2015.